Why Eat Subway Rather Than McDonald's?

by
GAIL MORRIS Last Updated: Jan 28, 2015

Gail Morris

Gail Morris has been writing extensively since 1997. She completed a master's degree in nursing at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and practiced in medicine for more than 20 years. Morris has published medical articles in peer-reviewed journals and now writes for various online publications and freelances for Internet marketers.

McDonald’s and Subway are two popular fast food restaurant options. McDonald’s sales are so significant that they are a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Subway stores were growing at a rate of 40 new stores each week in September 2009. However, in your desire to eat a more healthy diet in a fast-paced life, you should look twice before deciding to eat at McDonald’s. Although there are several new and healthier food choices at the large fried food chain restaurant, these are not the options that are the most popular.

Calories

McDonald’s is famous for its burgers and fries. A quarter-pound hamburger with cheese has 510 calories, 230 of which are from fat, according to McDonald’s. The additional medium side order of fries has 380 calories, 170 of which are from fat. With a large coke, you have now eaten 1,200 calories in one meal. This can be equal to more than half of your daily calories. By contrast, the average foot long Subway sandwich will add 800 calories to your daily diet and approximately 20 g of fat. Subway also has sandwiches that have less calories and reduced fat options.

Fats

A hamburger, fries and Coke at McDonald’s will cost you 67 g of fat, according to McDonald’s corporate website. This is a large contrast to the 18 g of fat that is in the highest calorie foot long option at Subway. According to MayoClinic, your total grams of fat per day on a 2,000 calorie diet should be no more than 78 g of fat per day. Your fat intake affects weight gain and increases your risk of developing coronary artery disease and stroke.

Super Size

McDonald’s also gives you the option of Super Sizing your menu choice. When you arrive hungry and willing to eat, the idea of a few extra pennies to increase the size of your fries, sandwich and drink may just be too tempting. In an effort to document the effect of eating at a fast food restaurant, documentary producer Morgan Spurlock ate at McDonald’s each meal for 30 days, according to IMDB. His journey, portrayed in the film "Super Size Me," ended after 30 days, during which he gained 24.5 pounds and found that symptoms of depression and lethargy which were alleviated with his next McDonald’s meal. He developed heart palpitations during this period and potential irreversible damage to the heart muscle. It took him approximately 14 months to lose the 24.5 pounds that he gained in 30 days eating only McDonald’s food.

Fiber

Subway uses the promise of fresh ingredients that are put together in front of the customer to entice you to visit its stores. However, there is a secondary benefit to those fresh, uncooked ingredients. That benefit is fiber. According to Harvard School of Public Health, your diet should consist of at least 14 g of fiber for each 1,000 daily calories consumed. A person who eats 2,500 calories per day needs at least 35 g of fiber each day. According to McDonald’s nutritional information, the large fries, salads and big breakfast with hot cakes are the only products that have over 5 g of fiber, and none of its foods have more than 7 g of fiber. At Subway, there are 25 food choices that have at least 6 g of fiber, many with more than 9 g. Fiber reduces your risk of constipation and prevents the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines.